K & L's Travel Blog

We’ve seen a lot of sights over the past couple of weeks! We’ve spent most of the time walking, but have also used buses and the Metro. This post traces some of the more interesting sights we’ve encountered thus far. 

Art & Architecture

Catalan Modernista style dominates in the neighborhoods where we’ve been. It’s close to Art Nouveau, but threaded with a gothic sensibility and alternating heroic or pastoral motifs. Nature is represented in flora and fauna, and the drama of St. George/Jordi and the Dragon is always just around a corner. 

The less dramatic styles capture our imaginations as well, like the alleyway of S. Felip with its colorful homes and ironwork.

Street Art

The street art is notable as well. There are works by Joan Miró, Roy Lichtenstein and many talented but lesser-known artists all over the city. It’s so beautiful it is hard sometimes to “remember it’s a city.” Fran Leibowitz advises the gawking tourists in New York to stop obstruction with their gawking and “remember it’s a city.” Easier for me to remember that New York is a city than it is in Barcelona, which distracts with the impact of an art gallery.

Signage

Our friends Merritt and Madeline gave us the perfect gift before our departure: street calligraphy in Barcelona. While I’d taken photos of street signage in the past, I’ve never traveled here with such a heightened appreciation for the varied stylizations, especially the Art Nouveau and Modernist.

Getting Around

If distance is too far for a walk, we prefer the city buses: easily accessible with a ten ticket pack “T-Casual,” less of a risk with pickpockets, and great views. The tickets also work on the subway; they cost just about €1.00 per ride and they are good for 75 minutes transfer time. We have had bus service interrupted twice: once for a parade and another time for a neighborhood foot race. No problem either time as we were able to make it to our destinations walking.

People Watching

There is always action on the streets. We’ve splurged the past couple of days dining on terraces, and are endlessly fascinated by the human drama and dynamism around us. When Catalans engage, they engage with level of intensity that Americans don’t typically rise to. The couple below may look as though they are arguing. No, she was merely asking for directions and the man responded .